USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 6, 2018

August 6, 2018 11:35 AM

USNI News Graphic

The USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker is sponsored by CNA. These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 6, 2018, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the map reflects the location of the capital ship.

Japanese guests wait in line to board the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during the 42nd annual Yokosuka Friendship Day celebration on Aug. 4, 2018. US Navy Photo

In the Middle Pacific

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 breaks the sound barrier during an air power demonstration on Aug. 4, 2018. US Navy Photo

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)is returning from Hawaii after the Aug. 2 completion of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018exercise.

Hosted by U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2018 was led by U.S. Vice Adm. John D. Alexander, commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, who served as the combined task force (CTF) commander. Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Bob Auchterlonie served as deputy commander of the CTF, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Hideyuki Oban was the vice commander. Fleet Marine Force was led by U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Mark Hashimoto. Other key leaders of the multinational force included Commodore Pablo Niemann of Armada de Chile, who commanded the maritime component, and Air Commodore Craig Heap of the Royal Australian Air Force, who commanded the air component.

RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class Michael Morgan heaves line as the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise on July 31, 2018. US Navy Photo

Participants include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

Additionally, for the first time since RIMPAC 2002, U.S. 3rd Fleet’s Command Center relocated from San Diego to Pearl Harbor to support command and control of all 3rd Fleet forces in 3rd Fleet’s area of responsibility, to include forces operating forward in the Western Pacific. The Fleet Command Center established at a deployable joint command and control on Hospital Point, Pearl Harbor, for the first part of the exercise

“Capt. Randall Peck relieved Capt. Gregory Huffman as commanding officer of the USS John C. StennisFriday during a change of command ceremony in the aircraft carrier’s hangar bay while in port in San Diego,” read a report from TheKitsap Sun. “The Stennis is nearing the end of the carrier’s pre-deployment workup cycle. The carrier is expected to deploy some time this fall, but the Navy has not officially announced when the carrier will leave, where it will go or for how long it is expected to be underway.”

In addition to these major formations, not shown are thousands of others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Coast Guard cutters and more serving throughout the globe.